ALL EXAM QUIZ 06.05.2024

Explanation:

• Pakistani-origin Hamza Yousaf, who took over as Scotland's first Muslim First Minister, resigned.
• Hamza has also left the post of Scottish National Party (SNP) leader.
• Yousaf's leadership has come under criticism after the collapse of the SNP's coalition with the Scottish Greens, leading to two motions of no confidence from opposition parties this weekend.
• In 2023, the SNP had faced many challenges, including a funding scandal and the departure of former leader Nicola Sturgeon.
• The Scottish Parliament has 28 days to nominate a replacement otherwise an election will be called.

Explanation:

• IUCN representatives will be observers in the Nilgiri Tahr survey in Tamil Nadu.
• From April 29, the Tamil Nadu Government will execute a synchronized survey of the state animal with a resolve to remove the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) from endangered status.
• The three-day exercise is being conducted to estimate the population of Tahrs, which once roamed the length and breadth of the Anamalai and Nilgiri landscapes.
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed this animal as an endangered species and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• According to a report released by the World Wildlife Fund India in 2015, currently, there are around 3,000 Tahrs in the Western Ghats, and a sizeable portion is concentrated in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR).

Explanation:

• Ayushman Bharat Day is celebrated every year on 30th April.
• It is observed to raise awareness about its Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Its main aim is to transform the lives of people.
• Under this scheme, the Indian government wants to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, high-quality healthcare.
• The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana was launched to give free treatment in government hospitals and clinics to needy individuals.
• Under this scheme, free health care coverage of Rs 5 lakh is provided to more than 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families.
• The PM-JAY program is funded entirely by the central government but the state government also shares the cost of its implementation.
• PMJAY provides cashless and paperless access to services for the beneficiary at the point of service.
• Pradhan Mantri Jan AarogyaYojana (AB-PMJAY) was launched by Narendra Modi on 23rd September 2018 at Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Explanation:

• United States has decided to place India on the watch list in the intellectual property (IP) protection case on April 25, 2024.
• In this context, the US informed that India remains one of the most challenging major economies in the world with regard to IP security.

2024 Special 301 Report released by USTR

• Along with India, Argentina, Chile, China, Indonesia, Russia and Venezuela are also included in the watch list in the 2024 Special 301 report released by the US Trade Representatives (USTR).
• The Dominican Republic is no longer on the monitoring list.
• This report is an annual review of the global state of IP protection.

Explanation:

• India and Croatia organised the 11th session of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi.
• During the Consultations, both sides discussed views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
• They comprehensively reviewed current bilateral relations.
• They also reviewed strengthening of cooperation in fields of trade and economy, defence and maritime, science and technology, innovation, tourism and culture.
• They also emphasized the importance of strengthening people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
• Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West) led the Indian side during the Foreign Office Consultations.
• They stressed on the need for early conclusion of an India-EU Free trade Agreement that is comprehensive, balanced and mutually beneficial.
• India established diplomatic relations with Croatia on July 1992.
• Indian Mission in Zagreb (capital of Croatia) was opened in April 1996.
• It was upgraded to Ambassadorial level in January 1998.

Explanation:

• India's core sector growth declined to 5.2% in March.
• The growth of the core sector has slowed to 5.2% in March from 7.1% in February.
• In March, coal (8.7 per cent), crude oil (2 per cent), natural gas (6.3 per cent) and steel (5.5 per cent) declined.
• The output of refinery products (-0.3 per cent) and fertilisers (-1.3 per cent) contracted during March.
• The Output of cement and electricity increased by 10.6% and 8%, respectively, in March.
• The core sector witnessed a growth of 4.2 per cent in March 2023.
• Electricity generation showed a positive growth expansion in March and maintained a robust pace in April.
• In FY24, growth in the core sector stood at 7.5 per cent as compared to 7.8 per cent in FY23.
• During this financial year, all eight constituent sectors registered positive growth.
• The eight core industries account for 40.27 per cent of the weighting of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

Explanation:

• IIT Guwahati has developed a 3D-printed dummy ballot unit.
• The Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation of Kamrup Election District has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati to develop an inventive 3D-printed dummy ballot unit.
• The 3D-printed dummy ballot unit's main objective is to inform citizens, mainly first-time voters and senior citizens, about the voting process.
• This dummy ballot unit was created using 3D printing technology and PLA, a biodegradable material derived from corn starch.
• It was created by researchers at IIT Guwahati in merely 48 hours.
• The dummy ballot seeks maximum voter participation by offering a practical experience.
• It has unique interactive elements such as sound and light output indicators to assist users during the voting process.

Explanation:

• The government is planning to replace the existing Explosives Act of 1884.
• To further promote ease of doing business, the government will replace the existing Explosives Act of 1884 with a new law.
• Government introduces the draft Explosives Bill 2024 to replace the Explosives Act, of 1884.
• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has proposed increasing the fines for violating of regulations.
• Under the new law, If a license holder, violates regulations he/she could face imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of Rs 1,00,000, or both.
• Under the provisions of the new bill, if someone is found in possession, using, selling, or transporting any explosive, they may face imprisonment for up to two years, a fine of Rs 50,000, or both.
• The government will also designate an authority, which will be responsible for issuing licenses for the manufacture, use, sale, import, and export of any explosive material.
• At present, the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) is responsible for the manufacturing, possession, use, sale, import, and export of any explosive material.
• The Explosives Act of 1884 was enacted by the British government to regulate the manufacture, storage, possession, use, sale, import, and export of explosives.
• The Explosives Act of 1884 gave power to authorities to conduct inspections of premises where explosives are stored or used to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Explanation:

• Chhattisgarh’s environmental activist and convenor of Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan Alok Shukla has been selected for the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize.
• The Goldman Environmental Prize, also popularly known as the Green Nobel Prize, is awarded annually to grassroots environmental champions worldwide.
• He has won Goldman Prize or Green Nobel for Hasdeo Aranya campaign.
• Goldman Foundation said Hasdeo movement is a model for environmental justice in India.
• Alok Shukla is convenor of the Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan.
• He is the founding member of the Hasdeo Aranya Bachao Sangharsh Samiti.
• He has won for efforts to protect the forests of Hasdeo Aranya in Chhattisgarh.
• The community campaign led by Alok Shukla saved 445,000 acres of biodiversity-rich forests from 21 planned coal mines in Chhattisgarh.
• In July 2022, the 21 proposed coal mines were cancelled by the government in Hasdeo Aranya.
• The forests of Hasdeo Aranya are popularly known as the lungs of Chhattisgarh.
• They are also a catchment area for the Hasdeo River, which is a tributary of the Mahanadi.
• Hasdeo Aranya was declared as no-go zone in 2010.

Explanation:

A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4